“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” - Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
In recent days there have been increasing instances of lives around us suddenly going. Sometimes there are cases of COVID-19 but also accidents do happen. It is one thing to see a person full of life but to lose the same person in a matter of hours can be more than devastating. Perhaps by nursing the person long before one could have come around with the idea of life going, which is not the case with such sudden death.
Much as medical science has advanced and with good care of our bodies now we can see in some nations like Japan the centenarian population edging towards 70,000, on the whole the words of scripture remain true, “Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. Soon they disappear, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).
Life is a gift from God. As Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom." On one hand it is tempting to feel one has all the power with life but in reality our control is very much limited.
King Solomon once wrote, “This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them-for this is their lot” (Ecclesiastes 5:18). We should enjoy life where we have it. Later he concludes his long reflection with an enduring advice, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). This we do, because, all of our life belongs to Him.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God, creator of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the gift of life, and may I cherish it, as a treasure, for only you know the number of my days, which all belong to you!
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
